Join Grand Nordic for the 7th Annual Ranch2Ranch cross-country point-to-point ski trek from Snow Mountain Ranch to Granby Ranch via the Fraser to Granby Trail. Enjoy the 12 Km trek or ski 24 km-out and back for no extra charge! The Trek features some of the best scenery in Grand County with open vistas of Blue Ridge and the Continental Divide as well as intimate passages thru groves of aspen and conifers! Skate, classic, touring skis and snowshoes are welcome. Snowshoers should plan on starting by 9:30 to avoid cut off times. Rental equipment is available at Snow Mtn Ranch and must be returned there as well.
Park at the Montana Lot at Granby Ranch and a bus will shuttle people to Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center departing at 830am and 930am. Remember, there is NO SHUTTLE BACK TO SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH!. Or park at Snow Mountain Ranch, go to second floor of Nordic Center to register and get your bib, and ski over to Granby Ranch and then ski back to your car at SMR. You can then drive to Granby Ranch to turn in your bib at the Grand Nordic tent at the base lodge and pick up your voucher for lunch at the Grill, your wrist bracelet for $3.00 beers at the Grill, and be able to get a Nordic trail pass to ski the rest of the day on the Granby Ranch Nordic trails. Please remember that turning in your bib is a safety issue indicating that you are off course and finished skiing. Or turn it in at an aid station if you decide to drop out… Registration at Snow Mountain is open from 9am until 1030am. This is a trek at your own leisure with no timing provided.
Two aid stations will provide Gatorade, water, cookies, fruit and energy bars plus some medical supplies. First station is at Tim’s Tunnel under Hwy 40 and second station is at bottom of Rabbit Run joining High Road in Val Moritz. Brian Mountain Patrol is providing medical services along the route as well as sweep.
Directional signage is being posted all week before the Trek but the course is open. We will try to get it packed and tracked as best we can with all the fantastic snow Mother Nature hopefully will be sending our way next week. The grooming teams from Granby Ranch and Snow Mountain Ranch meet at Tim’s Tunnel and the trail is cat groomed all the way. Conditions should be fantastic!
A choice of hot beef sandwich or a vege wrap plus chips, cookie, and water bottle at Granby Ranch Grill is included with registration. All proceeds will benefit youth XC skiing here in Grand County. Registration is $40 for Grand Nordic Members / $55 Non Members. Register online at grandnordic.org until Friday 5pm. Onsite registration the day of the trek is an additional $5. For more information, call Diana Lynn at 970-887-0547 or email [email protected].
Middle Park Nordic Home Meet This Saturday
There will be several hundred Nordic skiers from almost a dozen schools over Colorado will be fielding teams for Middle Park’s annual home meet. Many volunteers are needed to pull off a big meet like this. The home race always surprises attending teams and parents with how beautiful our valley is and how friendly the people are. “Keep up the tradition and show them how much the EGSD family rocks”, says Maire Sullivan, race director. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e4aacaf2faaf94-home to volunteer for jobs like parking attendant to course marshalls to start or finish line helpers, to course sweeps (making sure all racers are off the course) and many other jobs for skiers and non-skiers alike. Come join the excitement and pull for the Middle Park High School and East Grand Middle School racers! Races start at 9am at Snow Mountain Ranch on Saturday Feb 1… Don’t forget your cowbell!
